Friends from Wild Places

Inspiring the Entrepreneur Within You

• Shireen Botha/Tanya Scotece ft Charles Achampong • Season 5 • Episode 6

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This episode explores the transformative power of travel and self-discovery, as Charles shares his journey from corporate life to embracing a minimalist approach to happiness. We discuss the importance of reflecting on personal struggles, the value of meaningful experiences over material possessions, and the steps toward becoming an entrepreneur.

Charles Achampong


• Emphasizing the connection between travel and self-discovery 
• Addressing struggles faced during corporate transitions 
• Discussing the philosophy of minimalism in travel 
• Highlighting the significance of family experiences 
• Sharing practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 
• Engaging in a light-hearted 20 Questions game

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Voiceover:

Tales from the wild, stories from the heart. A journey into the mind and soul of fired up business professionals, where they share their vision for the future and hear from a different non-profit organization every month as they create awareness of their goals and their needs. Dive into a world of untamed passion as we join our host, Shireen Botha, for this month's episode of Friends from Wild Places.

Shireen Botha:

I must say so you listeners you heard it here it's going to be released in January. It's going to be released in January, um, you'll be hearing these episodes, the series, three of them, in February. So, if you're listening to us right now, it's February, meaning it's out already. Go get it, get it, go get it. Go get it, please. It's an amazing book with so many exciting stories. Um, if you want to be inspired and you do, like the idea of traveling and you have pondered about it, well then that you are the person that needs to buy this book. So, please and buy it.

Shireen Botha:

But, charles, if you had to share one of the biggest struggles on this journey, right, this long journey of being in the corporate world, taking the break, charles, if you had to share one of the biggest struggles on this journey, right, this long journey of being in the corporate world, taking the break this road. What is that one struggle that you've probably you don't want to go through again? It was a really big one for you. How, how did it impact you? How did you grow from it? How did you, you know, get over that massive struggle? Like what was it? What helped you get through it?

Charles Achampong:

That's a good question. You know, I think I am much more comfortable in my shell, I'm much more comfortable with who I am and you know all my idiosyncrasies, my strengths and my weaknesses, and I it's interesting I feel like I needed a trip around the world for me to be able to have time to reflect and think and spend time with my family, to be able to have time to reflect and think and spend time with my family. So I think it was a struggle because, in many ways, not that I felt like I was trying to act as if I was someone else, but I'm much more in tune with the things that I like and the people that I like being around and the activities that I enjoy. I've had some time to reflect on what brings me joy, what you know, that balance between my me time and spending time for myself, and then the we time is spending time with my family and friends, like I, I've, I've, I've really removed all of the all of the energy vampires that suck all the energy out of me, because I was just going through the motion and doing the things that society had told me to do, right, or notionally, that I thought that society had told me to do, and so I've just now more focused on the things that make me happy, and I try to not rely on other people to make me happy. This way as well, I tried to find the joy in myself. So when I get up in the morning, you know if I'm thinking about the things I have to do that day, or even, you know, or I didn't sleep well. Whatever the excuse may be, you know, I just find that I am responsible for my own joy and my own happiness, and so it was a struggle in the past because I was relying on other things other external environment, other people, situation, the weather determined whether or not I was going to be happy or in a good mood.

Charles Achampong:

I'm generally an extremely sometimes to my detriment of my family good mood. I'm generally an extremely sometimes to my detriment of my family almost overly optimistic and almost overly happy, but I'm much more genuinely happy with my situation and the way I am and the way things are. You know, I'm so grateful and so privileged for the opportunity that we had to travel and to spend the time with my kids, and I know there'll be a point when our kids are not going to want to hang out with us anymore and they'll grow old. They want to hang out with their friends, all that stuff. They'll go through their emotions and their you know the teenage angst and all that.

Charles Achampong:

But I'm just so grateful that no one can take away the experience that I've gone through and that I'm just so joyful that I have that experience. And now I want to be able to tell the story to others, to say that, hey, even if it's not a trip that you want to do, just help you think through what is your pause and how can you integrate that into your daily routine, you know, and so that you can just find time for yourself. And just talking about the impact that that had for me. So it was a struggle beforehand because I was just going through the motions, you know, floating through life on autopilot, very comfortable life, but yeah, I think it's just. I'm just much more happier, much more confident, I'm just more accepting of my identity and who I am.

Tanya Scotece:

Nice, wow, that's. That's. That just just blows me away, just completely blows me away. I have two questions, charles. So when you are like on the journey, right, and how do you not want to take a lot of things from each place that you visited, like I'm going to just project right. Like, for example, you go somewhere, you know we take extra bags to bring it back, like how do you control that? To say, wow, I'm on the trip of a lifetime, and how do you not take a suitcase and ship it all back ahead of you, like, how do you.

Charles Achampong:

Great question. Yeah, great question, you know so. Fortunately, my wife and I are on the same page when it comes to these things. That you know, less is more. You know. It's funny. When we were, when we were getting ready to leave, we were again.

Charles Achampong:

I mentioned how we rented our house out to neighbors and so we had to put our personal belongings into storage, and it's not until I don't think we have a lot of stuff. I'm quite a minimalist. The kids are pretty good-ish in terms of the number of toys and things that they have. We've kept that to a minimum, etc. Etc. And so when we were packing up everything and personal belongings, you realize how much stuff you have stuff. We put a lot of stuff in storage. And then, when you're traveling, you realize like, wow, I even I've forgotten all the stuff we put into storage. Like I don't know what it is. It's, of course, you know it's winter clothing, because we're not traveling and we're cold, but all the other things that we have is just stuff. Does it make me any happier? Does it bring contentment to my life? Not really. It's the experience of where I am right here and right now. And it's the experience of where I am right here and right now, and so to answer your question, tanya, for us we made an agreement before leaving that we were not going to get another suitcase. We're not going to ship more stuff on. No, I'll take a step back.

Charles Achampong:

What I will say is that the world has become much more, in an unfortunate way, in some ways commoditized when it comes to traveling, monetize, when it comes to traveling. Things that you can find in the markets and souks in Istanbul or in Marrakesh, in Morocco or in other places of the world. You can usually pretty much find it anywhere, you know, in your own backyard, depending on where you live in the world. You know, particularly in the Western world, such as here in Canada or wherever you are Like it's very difficult now to get those authentic experiences or authentic things that are not available elsewhere or not available for purchase online. So you know, when you're going traveling somewhere and you're trying like, wow, this is a unique thing, you're like, well, there's a place just down the street from us that sells the same thing, right, and if anything, it's all probably made from the same place anyhow. So there were things like that that were kind of like do we really need this? Is it? Do we really want to lug it around? We're first two weeks in, we've got another eight months to go. Do we really want to carry around this stuff, teddy? Because you know such a? You know that. So that's from a practicality perspective. I think that's where it is and all this stuff is available everywhere. So very rarely, I feel like, can you get the experience or things that are not available, that are available in one particular place that are not available elsewhere.

Charles Achampong:

We made made the decision to purchase one piece of art from each country that we went to. So that was the thing that we agreed to do, that we purchased one thing of art from each place that would adorn our walls and provide us that memory of that place. So the kids got little things, you know, but key chains they love key chains and so you know you can hear them coming down the street from school because their backpacks are kind of rattling away, you know, with their key chains from each different place around the world. And they bought little things for their friends, little tokens and stuff like that.

Charles Achampong:

But nothing massive that we got and all the pieces of art that we received were things that you could wrap up or you could put easily into the suitcase. It didn't take up a lot of room and, again, because it was clothing for the summer, the girls my two daughters were able to put their stuff into one suitcase, and so we kept the other suitcase, the fourth suitcase, for their school books, their laptop, little things like that. So, yeah, that really, at the end of the day, we've got a piece of art from each place we went to. They have their key chains from each place that we went to, so we don't have a lot of quote-unquote stuff that we brought along from the trip, so we never felt the need to do that. If anything, our house I'm in the basement, but upstairs is one piece of art that's framed and that's our reminder of our trip, plus, of course, the plethora of pictures that we took on the trip, which are in the book as well.

Tanya Scotece:

Yeah, wow, wow, okay. And then the second question, because I had two. Yeah, this question is um so, aside from like documents like, aside from like documents like aside from passport and you know anything legal, what would you say is the number one item that you will not leave home without?

Charles Achampong:

Oh, I mean, I guess in this day and age, your cell phone is really what's there, I mean that follows you everywhere. That's very important, because I think what we did is that we made sure that we had taken a picture of all of our important documents. Of course, you save them on your email or on a on the cloud and you have access to them as well. But I think, yeah, that was the other thing. The piece that actually came in handy was our our little in in. I think it's maybe a province or maybe it's a Canadian thing as well, that everyone gets a little yellow booklet, when you travel internationally, of your immunizations, international immunizations. So that was helpful in some of the places that we went to to prove that we had immunizations from from those places as well. But you know, so, to be very simple, you know crafts.

Charles Achampong:

I mean I've given a few things, but I think the piece that I found that was really helpful on our trip was the fact that we provided each of our daughters with a digital camera, one of these old kind of old school digital cameras.

Charles Achampong:

So, rather than having to use our phone to take pictures and capture their moments, they were able to, they were able to use these digital cameras to take pictures on their own. So they didn't have to like can we borrow your cell phone to take a picture of? There's something cool. So that was. It was so to be able to see the trip through their eyes of what's important and what's not important, things where I thought I was. You know I would like that's trivial or you know I'd gloss over it and then to be able to actually then see um them take pictures and for them to go through those pictures is quite entertaining. So I think all those things there, but I think the piece for me that was really helpful from a family kids perspective was them having their own digital cameras, small little portable digital cameras that they could use on the trip wow, oh, you know it's.

Tanya Scotece:

It's interesting, charles, is that reminds me of? And my daughter is going to be getting married. So um a few years ago, I remember back in the day, there was you know how like people, if they got married, like in like a formal setting, they would have, like you know, you hire a photographer or videographer or both. But then it became popular to have those kind of portable or cameras on the table, so the so the guests can take the pictures right.

Tanya Scotece:

So it reminds me, from what you're sharing, especially for your daughters, that it's like, it's almost like these moments in time that are preserved, and it doesn't matter if it's a trip or a wedding or whatever. You get to see it through the lens of somebody else's eye.

Charles Achampong:

That's a great example. That's exactly it.

Tanya Scotece:

Exactly.

Charles Achampong:

That's great, and you know that the cameras are even even some of them have the Polaroids where you can actually take them, or even photo booths, that type of thing but exactly, that's exactly it.

Shireen Botha:

I think that's amazing, charles. That's such a good thing to do. You know it's their story. What's important to them, they'll click and it actually gives such a window into your child's mind Exactly, and that's important to them. So one last question, and then we'll get into something more lighthearted Charles, do you consider yourself an entrepreneur?

Charles Achampong:

Hmm Cool, um, charles, do you consider yourself an entrepreneur? Hmm cool, maybe an accidental entrepreneur, an accidental author? You know, I, um, I do. Now I do. Yes, it's such a loaded term or word but I feel like it's become much more mainstream now. But yes, I would consider myself an entrepreneur now. I um this idea of now. I mean, the biggest hurdle for me now as becoming an entrepreneur is this idea of selling myself. I've always been used to. You know you sell yourself when you go to an interview or you meet someone or you're selling a product or service. You know you're selling that product or service and not necessarily yourself. But the biggest thing as an entrepreneur is that you're you're setting, you're selling not only whatever product or service that you have, but your credibility to sell that product or service, and so that's something you know. Being able to build my own brand has been a very interesting journey thus far, through the book and through speaking opportunities as well, on this idea of pausing or failure immunity. So, yes, I do consider myself an entrepreneur.

Shireen Botha:

It's been an evolving journey, but I'm making my way there yeah, you are, you are and you know, a lot of our listeners are these. You know, young entrepreneurs or even old entrepreneurs. We really focus on the, the entrepreneurs and business owners like myself who really changed their careers much later on in life, um and made the massive leap um to become a business owner, uh, at like late 30s, late 40s, uh, and yes more of me.

Shireen Botha:

There's lots more people similar to me, and so if there are any people listeners out there that are in a position where they would something new, they'd like to try it on their own, but they're too scared. What would be your advice to them to make that of faith?

Charles Achampong:

Yeah, you know it's, everyone's got unique situations or circumstances. Maybe you're working full time, Maybe it's part time, maybe you're consulting, but I think the biggest thing for me is that I you need to make that first step. You need to do something. You know you need to make that not necessarily a commitment, but you need to actually do something, make that tiny step forward to actually doing something. So you know, I use the example. Yesterday I posted my first.

Charles Achampong:

Again, this whole social media thing has been such an interesting experience for me. Linkedin I've played a much more active role on, but Instagram I've never had accounts and an account until maybe a few months ago, before the book started. And Facebook, I think I was sharing earlier that my wife largely managed that and I had no interaction or dealing with that, and so I had to post. I decided, you know, let me post a video. And I was just so gun shy of posting a video of me talking about this idea of my book and pausing, et cetera, et cetera. And you know I was worried about what other people would say Was I delivering the right message? All the usual things that you go through your head when you start second guessing yourself right and wanting to stay in your quote unquote comfort zone. Right, and I just said you know what? Let me do something. Let me put out a post. I'm going to take a video.

Charles Achampong:

I went through various iterations, changed a few things, but it's this idea of just do something, make. If your goal is to you know whatever is, become your own boss, become an entrepreneur, do something that at least moves you in that direction. You don't need to leave your day job nine to five and just quit a whole cold turkey and just walk in and become an entrepreneur. But do something. I met a gentleman who loves photography.

Charles Achampong:

I'm like, okay, well, take a course, you don't need to go buy the most expensive camera out there, but do something that moves you forward in some small, key, incremental way, because otherwise we get stuck in our head about the would've, could've, should'ves, and so it's important that you take that first step and then you again get up the next time. Make that next first step. Document what the experience was like. You know, get a mentor, get coaching, but please make that first step. Do something to be able to move you forward in some small, incremental way, so at least you can show the progress of what it is that you're trying to do absolutely.

Shireen Botha:

I love that. It was such a great answer. Thank you, charles. So, yes, a little bit more light-hearted, we're going to come come to a segment called 20 questions. It's a game I don't know if you've seen it, but it's speed 20 questions. Okay, so you get one minute, you and Tanya. You get one minute to answer as many questions as I ask you in one minute, and whoever answers the most questions is the winner. What do you get? I'm not sure. I'll think about that.

Charles Achampong:

I love that.

Tanya Scotece:

Okay 20 questions. I've never played this game, so do we answer together or you're just asking Charles?

Shireen Botha:

I will ask Charles first, and I'll give him one minute to answer as many of the questions as possible, and then I'm going to ask you next and ask you questions and see how many questions we can answer as fast as possible. Okay, so, charles, let me get the one minute on the clock.

Charles Achampong:

Okay, let's do this.

Shireen Botha:

Are you ready? Timer One minute. Let's do this. Are you ready? Timer one minute no long-winded answers.

Charles Achampong:

This is good and yeah go, charles.

Shireen Botha:

What is your favorite food?

Charles Achampong:

favorite food, I would say lasagna great.

Shireen Botha:

What is your favorite color?

Charles Achampong:

blue what is your favorite color? Blue.

Shireen Botha:

What is your favorite pit?

Charles Achampong:

Favorite pit, yeah, favorite pit, pet dog. What do you mean? Oh pet, oh, okay, sorry, yes, okay, dog, sorry yes.

Shireen Botha:

What is your favorite song?

Charles Achampong:

Oh, oh, sorry, you froze there. What was your question? What is your favorite song? Oh, sorry, you froze there. What was your question? What is your favorite song? Oh, favorite song Sunny. I can't remember the name of the singer.

Shireen Botha:

Yes, what is your favorite celebrity?

Charles Achampong:

I'd say I'm a big fan of Obama.

Shireen Botha:

Barack Obama, I'd say Okay, what is your favorite holiday?

Charles Achampong:

My favorite holiday would be Thanksgiving.

Shireen Botha:

Awesome Favorite fruit.

Charles Achampong:

Strawberries.

Shireen Botha:

Awesome Favorite season, summer. Seven, you got seven.

Charles Achampong:

Seven, oh, my God.

Shireen Botha:

That's pretty good. That's pretty good, oh geez.

Charles Achampong:

All right, that's pretty good, that's pretty. Oh geez.

Shireen Botha:

All right. Tanya game on All right let's see Roll up your sleeves, because here we go. Let's put the timer on. All right. What is your dream destination? Indonesia. Do you like watching good morning cartoons as a kid? No. What was your favorite subject in school? Mortuary? What is your biggest fear?

Tanya Scotece:

That's a good one. Fear of failure.

Shireen Botha:

Are you a night person or a morning person? Both. What are your three favorite songs?

Tanya Scotece:

three favorite songs neil diamond, we have caroline rivers of babylon and we have made in america by toby keith wow what do you like wearing often? Black, always black. Least favorite food, least favorite food is going to be liverwurst.

Shireen Botha:

My gosh, do you like your job? Yes, oh my gosh, that was just Tanya by nine.

Charles Achampong:

Good job, tanya Good job, that was really good.

Shireen Botha:

That was very good, that was fantastic. Good job, that was really good. That was very good, that was fantastic.

Tanya Scotece:

All right, it's funny because you actually like it's, because you don't have time to think. That's got to be the truth that comes out of you, you know what I mean Exactly. I didn't think liverwurst was my worst food, but I guess it is, you know oh man it's true, I'm like, oh, favorite food.

Charles Achampong:

I don't think I've actually really thought. I'm like I eat everything, so, but favorite I'm like yeah, yeah, good you're right, you're right, you're gonna really be with it, otherwise you could be overthink it overthink it yeah yeah, thank you for participating.

Shireen Botha:

Uh, that does unfortunately bring us to the end of the podcast. Thank you so much, um, for being here, charles. We really appreciate you being on the show. Charles and Tanya, if there's someone out there that's connected with you and would like to reach out to you, where can they find you? Go ahead, charles, sure.

Charles Achampong:

Sure. So they can find me through my website of CharlesAchampongcom. Or they can find me through LinkedIn by looking at my name, Charles Achampong, or on Instagram. It's at Around the World in Family Days. So those are the three places that you can find me, or via email info at CharlesAchampongcom.

Shireen Botha:

Love it.

Tanya Scotece:

Tanya. Okay, I live on LinkedIn. I don't have a TV, haven't had one for about 30 years, so LinkedIn is my hub. You can find me at Tanya T-A-N-Y-A, s-c-o-t-e-c-e. If anybody has any interest in a mortuary career, I am the director of the program at Miami Dade College. I do expert witness serving funeral home and cemetery wrongdoings, and I'm also involved in senior placement, matching people with communities who can no longer live alone. So that is my wheelhouse and be more than happy to connect with any listener in any arena. And how about you, shireen? Where can we find you?

Shireen Botha:

Thank you, tanya. Yeah, you can find Shireen's bookkeeping services on LinkedIn as well as their website, but you can also find me, Shireen Bueta, on all the socials, whether it be Instagram, tiktok or Facebook. That's Shireen Botha. You can follow me in my adventures. But for the podcast listeners, you are so welcome to always come back here. This is such a safe space for everybody. Uh, please know that friendsfromwildplaces. buzzsprout. com is the website friendsfromwildplaces. buzzsprout. com. Uh, please go. If you want to subscribe it's only five dollars a month for extra content and if you're listening and want to listen to some more great content from other entrepreneurs and business owners from all over the world. The previous series, we spoke to Estrella, who is the co-founder of Last Farewells, so she was amazing. If you want to go listen to some more content, go and click on to those, but other than that, you can for sure find us on YouTube. Please come and subscribe again there. Thanks so much for listening, guys, and remember you got this and stay wild. Bye, guys.

Voiceover:

You've been listening to Friends from wild places with Shireen Botha. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast from the links to catch every episode and unleash your passion.

People on this episode

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Shireen Botha

Host
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Tanya Scotece

Co-host
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Charles Achampong

Guest

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